Waste pickers in Brasilia shutdown landfill for nine days in fight against public-private partnership (Brasilia – October 2012)

The waste pickers in the Brazilian capital showed vigor and conviction in demanding their rights and futures, going head on with the federal government and completely paralyzing a landfill (Lixão da Estrutural), transfer stations, and plants. The protest forced the government to reconsider a public-private partnership (PPP) — one which would have given a 30 year contract to one company for 5 billion US dollars. The National Movement (MNCR) demonstrated the strength of the people when they mobilize and work towards the transformation and future of our planet. Long live our struggle! Long live the MNCR! No to incineration!Read the MNCR press release (in Portuguese)Depois de nove dias de bloqueio, catador es liberam lixão do DFCatadores fecham entrada de lixão

Another victory in Brazil: Minas Gerais to become the first state to compensate waste pickers for their environmental service (Brazil – October 2012)

Announced at the Waste and Citizenship Festival, waste pickers in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, will become the first to receive payment as environmental service providers. This has been an historical demand by the Brazilian National Movement of Waste Pickers (MNCR). Waste pickers will be paid according to the amount of recyclable material they collect at their cooperatives and associations. The number of associations registered has already reached 119 across all regions of the state, benefiting a total of 1,561 waste pickers. Read the MNCR press release (in Portuguese).

Bolivian law recognizes waste pickers (Bolivia – October 2012)

Congress approved a recycling legislation project that recognizes the rights of the waste pickers and their associations. This proposal establishes that the state, through particular departments, recognize and formally certify waste pickers as competent workers, regardless of the manner in which they acquired their skills. In addition, the legislation states, municipal governments should support the formation of associations or ventures for waste pickers to work as service providers. The legislation also prohibits waste picking for minors under 14 years of age, and will take action against anyone who violates this child labor laws. The proposition was recently sent to the Senate. Read article (in Spanish)

ExpoCatadores, 3rd edition (Brazil – 28-30, November 2012)

The event will host 1,500 waste pickers from 25 Brazilian states, as well as visitors and government leaders such as President Dilma Rousseff. There will be an international presence, with participation from waste pickers from 12 countries in Latin America as well as India, Benin, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 3rd National and International Gathering of Waste Pickers will be happening throughout Expocatadores with the goal of exchanging experiences. The themes that will be debated in the technical seminars will focus on the implementation of the National Waste Policy, the closing of open dumps and waste management plans. Read the full program and other important information(in Portuguese)

Waste pickers’ organizations from Bogota demonstrated on November 8th along with more than 5,000 waste pickers at Plaza Bolivar, a major public square. As part of their historical negotiation process with the Bogota municipal government, they are fighting for a solid waste management plan that includes all waste pickers from the city as well as the entire recycling chain. See video as well asmessage and news articles shared by Silvio Ruiz Grisales, ARB. Keep informed with more updates coming soon with next news round-up!

The Chilean waste pickers’ movement, is pleased to invite waste picker organizations, companies and institutions, NGOs, schools and others involved in waste recovery and those interested in the inclusion of waste pickers in sustainable solid waste management, to participate in the 4th National Waste Pickers’ Meeting. The Ministry of the Environment in Chile is preparing a solid waste management legislation based on producer responsibility. It’s a proposal that the waste pickers’ union has been following for years and it’s an opportunity to construct solid waste management that is both sustainable and socially inclusive. Follow the event on facebook.

SWaCH officially terminated work on November 1 in the PCMC (the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation). The workers have been ‘employed’ by the new contractors that have applied for an interim 6 month contract floated by the PCMC. The waste pickers were told they will only be paid 100 Rupees per day, though the contract says 200 Rupees. The contractors are also all threatening that the waste pickers should not take away the recyclables, though they’ve continued to access it. At the second hearing on November 5, the judge chided PCMC for being retrogressive, suggested that waste pickers be included in the contract terms, and also urged the PCMC not to flout government directives. A temporary stay order has been issued on the 5 year contract that had been floated. They have asked PCMC to continue with the interim contract until they change the terms of the new contract. The next hearing is on November 26th. Link to this news.

AIKMM’s First National Conference (India – December 10-11, 2012)

The All India Kabadi Mazdoor Mahasangh (AIKMM) is a membership-based organization of waste collectors. Carrying the struggle of waste collectors forward the AIKKM is organizing its First National Conference on December 10-11 in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The conference will be attended by the waste collectors and their organizations from 12 states in India and will be preceded by a public rally on December 10 and followed by a National Seminar on December 11. The seminar topic will be, “Whose Waste, Who Profits: Impact of Waste Privatization on the Informal Sector.” Read the press release (in English).

Solidarity with Indian waste pickers’ struggles (October 2012)

Alex Cardoso, MNCR (Brazil) and Cooperativa Reciclando Sueños (Argentina) sent messages of solidarity with Indian waste pickers’ struggle against incineration and privatization.

While the findings of the new WHO report on WASH in healthcare facilities are indeed grim (and might I actually add that there are so many limitations to the current data presented in the report that conditions are most likely a lot worse than reported) I am very excited that this report has come to light. All data in the report is secondary - meaning it […]

Hi Elisabeth, Of course - I currently work for WaterAid as a policy officer (health / monitoring and accountability). One of the projects I am currently working on involves working collaboratively with the WASH and NTD sectors to develop joint indicators for monitoring. My passion for WASH and health, and specifically integration with NTDs stems from my MSc […]

Composting is commonly used as an effective means of stabilizing wastewater biosolids and reducing pathogens to very low concentrations. However, it has been shown that under certain conditions Salmonella can regrow in previously composted biosolids. Growth of seeded Salmonella typhimurium in composted biosolids ranging from two weeks to two years maturity w […]

Hi Joe, What studies did you read? Why would anyone expect the finished ''biosolids'' (which are almost indistinguishable from soil) to become sterile? What would pathogenic microbes adapted to living in water without oxygen in our guts have to do in a pile of dry soil? Plus it is obvious that if there is new fecal contamination, the prev […]

We're happy to announce our new seminars to you: Attention! Please note that all the following seminars will be conducted in German only! San ABC plus The next Seminar is an advanced training which aims to deepen the knowledge of the participants on sustainable sanitation in the context of development cooperation. The training will take place Aachen fro […]

The Africa APPG together with Polygeia seeks to explore the lessons from the Ebola crisis for community-led health systems strengthening through examining the current response to the Ebola crisis, and gathering evidence from experts and the affected communities in West Africa.

Communities declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) through Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) did not experience any case of the Ebola outbreak, despite other surrounding communities in Marbibi county that experienced the worst cases.

The CLTS Knowledge Hub is hosting a webinar on Participatory Design Development for Sanitation on Thursday 26th March 2015 at 10am GMT. Ben Cole will be discussing his experiences in applying participatory design to accompany and extend Malawi’s national CLTS program since 2012